Game apparatus



Allg- 1959 c. o. SUTHERLAND 2,901,255

' GAME APPARATUS Filed Sept. 6, 1957 United States Patent GAME APPARATUSCliiford 0. Sutherland, Milwaukee, Wis.

Application September 6, 1957, Serial No. 682,389

4 Claims. (Cl. 273-135) This invention relates to a game apparatus ofthe type in which any number of players may participate, and the movethat can be made by each player depends on a number he obtains by chanceas determined by a roll of the dice, a spinner or the like.

The invention provides an entertaining game which requires alertness ofall the players whether or not it is their turn to play. The gamerequires perceptiveness of the players and may end abruptly by means ofa jackpot move.

The invention further provides a novel playing board on which themovable cover pieces used by the players can easily be inserted in placeand yet cannot accidentally be moved from their intended position.

Other objects and advantages will appear hereinafter, reference beinghad to the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure l is a perspective view of a game board made in accordance withthis invention; and

Figure 2 is a perspective view of one of the covers used with the boardshown in Figure 1.

Referring in greater detail to the drawings, the game board 5 may be ofany suitable material such as cardboard, wood, plastic or the like andis preferably square in shape. A wall or edge 6 surrounds the board. Theupper surface of the board is divided into squares which are separatedby the low thin walls 7. Part of walls 7 which adjoin each square arecut away to form guideways 8, the bottoms of which are substantiallyflush with the upper surface of the board.

A number is printed on the board within each square, the numbers varyingfrom two to twelve so as to correspond with any combination thrown by apair of dice.

Several covers or playing pieces 10 are provided for each player andeach players pieces are of a different color. These pieces can also bemade of various materials, preferably transparent material through whichthe number below it can be readily seen. The pieces include two sections11 and 12, each of which are of a size which substantially fills asquare between the walls 7. The sections 11 and 12 are connectedtogether by an integral neck portion 13 to thereby form slots 14 oneither side of the neck and between the sections 11 and 12. A smallknob-like handle 15 may be fastened to the center of the piece to afforda convenient means to pick up and position the piece. Thus the piecescan be placed on the board to cover any two squares, the slots 14loosely engaging the walls 7 and the neck 13 fitting in the guideways 8.Once in position the pieces cannot he accidentally pushed out of theirposition, it being necessary to lift them by their handle 15 prior tomoving them. These pieces may be placed on the board with their majoraxis extending in directions normal to one another.

The game is played by any desired number of players as follows. A pairof dice, a spinner or other chance means may be used by each player inturn to obtain a number. The player then takes one of his pieces anduses one of its sections to cover one of the numbers on "ice . 2 theboard which corresponds to the number obtained. The other section ofthat piece can be turned in any direction to also cover an adjoiningnumber. In elfect, therefore, the player can pivot his piece to any oneof a maximum number of four positions to cover a number adjoining theone he obtained.

The object of the game is to try to surround a square with the pieces,preferably surrounding the square with the higher numbers. In otherwords, the player who captures the square by placing the last piece inplace to surround or enclose the number, receives credit for the amountof the number surrounded. As shown in Figure 1, the number 12 has beensurrounded, and assuming the piece to the right had been played last,that player would receive a score of twelve points. When a playersurrounds a square, he may have another turn at obtaining a number andmaking another play immediately without awaiting his turn.

If a player makes the final move in surrounding one square and he couldhave captured two non-adjoining squares instead by otherwise positioninghis piece, the next player may remove that piece and place his own so asto surround the two non-adjoining squares himself and receive credit forthe total of their numbers.

If four separated squares are surrounded and thus captured by a playerplacing a single piece, then the game automatically ends and the playermaking that jackpot move wins regardless of the score up to that point.

Ordinarily, however, the player with the highest total number of pointsWins when there are no squares left to surround. Credit may also begiven a player at the rate of 1 point for every square covered by hispieces.

The player has a wide variety of positions in which to place his piece.Not only will there be more than one of each number on the board, but hecan pivot his piece around any one of those numbers that are not alreadyoccupied. Furthermore, he must be aware of the possibility ofsurrounding four non-adjoining squares as well as only one square.

Variations of these rules may be used. For instance, the total number ofpieces used by a player may be added to or subtracted from his totalscore. Partners may also be paired up to aid each other in capturingsquares.

Various modes of carrying out the invention are contemplated as beingwithin the scope of the following claims particularly pointing out anddistinctly claiming the subject matter which is regarded as theinvention.

I claim:

1. A game apparatus including, a game board having a plurality ofsubstantially equal size areas thereon, said areas each having a numeralthereon, and a plurality of cover pieces placed on said board and eachof a size and shape to indicate coverage of the numerals on any twoadjoining areas.

2. In a game apparatus, a game board having a plurality of equal sizesquares thereon, said squares each having a numeral thereon, and aplurality of cover pieces for each player of the game, said pieces eachof a size and shape so as to be placed on said board to indicatesubstantially complete coverage of any two adjoining squares.

3. In a game apparatus, a game board having a plurality of equal sizesquares thereon, said squares each having a numeral thereon, and aplurality of cover pieces for each player of the game, said pieces eachbeing formed into two sections, each section of a size and shape so asto substantially cover a square whereby one piece is adapted tosubstantially cover two adjoining squares.

4. In a game apparatus, a game board having an upper surface, aplurality of intersecting walls on said upper surface to define equalsize squares thereon, said walls each having a guideway adjacent each ofsaid squares,

of said pieces.

said squares each having a numeral thereon, and a plurality of coverpieces for each player of the game, said pieces each of a size and shapeso as to indicate substantially complete coverage of any two adjoiningsquares, said pieces each having acentral slot adapted to engage saidguideways so as to prevent accidental displacement References Cited inthe file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Steves Apr. 17, 1928

